Back To School Safety Tips

It’s that time of year again when parents and children across the country are preparing to go back to school.

August is designated as Back-to-School Safety Month, and we want to remind motorists to be extra careful at all times.

Follow the tips below to make sure you keep your children safe while walking and biking to school:

School Zone Driving Safety Tips

Be on the lookout for school zone signals and ALWAYS obey the speed limits.

When entering a school zone, be sure to slow down and obey all traffic laws.

Always stop for school busses that are loading or unloading children.

Watch out for school crossing guards and obey their signals.

Be aware of and watch out for children near schools, bus stops, sidewalks, in the streets, in school parking lots, etc.

Never pass other vehicles while driving in a school zone.

Never change lanes while driving in a school zone.

Never make U-Turns while driving in a school zone.

Never text while driving in a school zone.

Avoid using a cell phone, unless it is completely hands-free, while driving in a school zone.

Unless licensed to do so, never use handicap or emergency vehicle lanes or spaces to drop off or pick up children at school.

Riding Your Bike to School

Check with the school to make sure your child is allowed to ride their bicycle to school. Some schools do not allow students to ride bicycles to school until they reach a specific grade.

Make sure your child always wears a bicycle helmet! Failure to wear one could result in a traffic citation. Furthermore, in the event of an accident, helmets reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent.

Obey the rules of the road; the rules are the same for all vehicles, including bicycles.

Always stay on the right-hand side of the road and ride in the same direction as traffic.

Be sure your child know and uses all of the appropriate hand signals.

Choose the safest route between home and school and practice it with children until they can demonstrate traffic safety awareness.

If possible, try to ride with someone else. There is safety in numbers.

Walking to School

Leave early enough to arrive at school at least 10 minutes prior to the start of school.

Use the same route every day and never use shortcuts.

Go straight home after school. Do not go anywhere else without permission.

Always use public sidewalks and streets when walking to school.

Demonstrate traffic safety awareness and pick the safest route between your home and the school and practice walking it with your children.

Try and walk to school with other students. There is strength in numbers.

Teach your children to recognize and obey traffic signals, signs, and pavement markings.